Well, just thought I'd blog here really quick before I'm out of the V-Town today. I came in for the Thanksgiving Day celebration here that was actually held on Saturday. We, about 8 volunteers and I, went to a local park and played a couple games of football in the afternoon before the feast. It was a blast. The first team I was on lost, but the second one won. Tons of fun, picked up a few nice raspberries from a couple dives (all part of the fun!). Definitely added to the festive nature of the day. For dinner a bunch of volunteers, PC staff, some random Americans, and some Mormons were attendance for the feast. It was held at The Saloon which I blogged about last time (an American run bar). We chowed on turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy. By the way as some of you might know I hate stuffing, but for the last couple of years during Thanksgiving I've tried it again to see if I still hate it only to be affirmed in my disgust for this side dish. Yet, this year I tried it and thought it was pretty good. Don't know why it was, but I think it was the way it was prepared. It was a little different than other stuffing I've had and I couldn't tell you how.
Anyway, all food was drained down with tasty microbrew available at the joint. The atmosphere was great too as they put out a bunch of tables, had candle light, live music (sometimes cheesy), etc. Also it was the first time they opened up the feast to people's Ni-Van sign. others and Ni-Van staff, which was really cool. Kevin, our country director, got up and gave a nice speech in the middle of the meal. Dessert was homemade pumpkin pie with whipped cream. All and all a rough deal huh? We all left, food babies firmly in place, and passed out at our various spots within town. It was a pretty nice way to celebrate the holiday while still in-country.
Lets see...what else has been going on? A couple weeks ago I went to a World Cup Qualifier game in Vila between Vanuatu and New Zealand. The stakes were high because if Vanuatu were to win this game and win or draw on the rematch in NZ they would go on to the next match to actually make it to the Cup (as far as I understand anyway. I heard many accounts on what the game meant. What I do know for sure is that Vanuatu had booted the Solomons in the first round in the South Pacific Games.). The game was held on a really humid, really hot day and admission was only about $5 US. We sat on the grass on the 18-yard line and had an excellent view of the game. The stadium was pretty packed in, with a great majority of the crowd being Ni-Vanuatu. Most people sat on the grass as there was very little grandstand to speak of. The game was underway after a good round of cheering and air horn blowing during the short opening ceremony. NZ was controlling the game as the Vanuatu team had trouble maintaining possession. Probably a result of being a newly-formed team and not feeling the team cohesion. Just a week before, the Vanuatu team held a scrimmage to trim their 45+ man roster to about 24. The NZ team also had quite the height advantage so balls in the air usually went to them. The NZ keeper was a beast, at about 6'6" and the chances of getting balls past him didn't look good. The Vanuatu keeper on the other hand was probably more like 5'10". NZ had some good shots on goal with a few good saves by the Ni-van keeper. Vanuatu had a couple nice fast breaks (the limit of their offense) with their short, speedy right striker who was defended by a guy about 6'4". About half way through the first half Vanuatu's right striker got a great break, was on-sides, and a one-on-one with the NZ keeper insued. A quick chip over the keeper's premature dive (coming out of the goal) scored a goal and Vanuatu had struck first. The crowd erupted and continued to cheer for a good couple minutes. The NZ team looked whiplashed as I think they expected to just come in and dominate. At the half Vanuatu was up 1-0 but we were all weary of them holding the lead as NZ was getting some good tries at goal. A couple minutes before the half the NZ team got a shot off inside the 18 which the keeper dove to the right, deflected the ball back out, only to welcome another shot, closer now, that the keeper dove to the left and deflected. Then, in inhuman speed the keeper sprang up to deflect the 8 yard shot that followed up and over the crossbar. It was amazing how quickly he was able to get up and block the successive shots. When he deflected the shot over the crossbar the crowd roared. I jumped up in excitement only to land on a British volunteer's bag. Luckily nothing was breakable and he was very understanding.
During the next half Vanuatu was able to control the ball a little better, but NZ was able to squeeze in a goal in about the 55th minute (result of a poorly cleared ball up the middle right to a NZ midfielder). The NZ defenders were also learning how to defend the wily Vanuatu right striker, they boxed him out. In about the 80th minute the Vanuatu goal keeper was injured by a great dive he made to break up a NZ corner kick. His replacement was a taller, more livid keeper who couldn't keep his ass in the box. He was all over the place! Reminded me a little of a saying I once heard about a keeper I replaced, "He's like a field player running around with little gloves on." Well in about the 87th minute the keeper committed too early on a corner kick (his defenders were in great position to clear the ball) and left the goal wide open for NZ to score, take the lead, and win the game.
Oh well...what you gonna do right? It was one hell of a game though and I felt very privileged to be there and root for Vanuatu. The weird part of the whole ordeal was that a good portion of the Ni-Van crowd cheered for the NZ team at the end (and this wasn't good sportsmanship cheering). Apparently, as I was told later many people here are fairweather fans and I was given examples off how people flip-flopped between teams during the'06 Cup. But, to change allegiances and root against your own nation is something different altogether. I don't get it, but i olsem nomo. Vanuatu went on to lose 4-1 in NZ and so the World Cup qualification dream is on hold until after the 2010 Cup. I don't know if the first Vanuatu keeper was back for the second game as I was at site when it aired. I'll try to score some pictures a couple friends took during the match and upload them later.
Other stuff going on... I'm starting kind-of a lecture series on my island that will occur every Saturday afternoon talking about various science things: planets, tides, currents, weather, volcanoes, basic biology stuff, global warming, etc. The name of it is Universe Blong Yumi! (Our Universe). The idea came to me when I was paging through an Earth Science textbook in the MPA office. I was already planning to start giving a science class every week at the local primary school once the new school year starts in January. Then I thought about how many times adults had asked me various science questions. You see, most adults haven't continued school past class 6, and science isn't really taught until class 7 or 8. The people I've talked to about the science series are enthusiastic and seem to think its a good idea, and I really am pushing it as an informal, non-school-like, fun toktok (lecture) with questions greatly encouraged. the first toktok will be on Saturday and deals with the planets and stars. The PC country director also offered use of his personal telescope in the future. Also, I have a British volunteer friend who has a friend that is a producer for the BBC, and I hope to use that channel to try and get some cool science/nature DVDs donated for this thing and later for use in the school and MPA stuff. Going to also try to get the MPA to sell kava (something they do anyway) after the toktoks in order to raise funds, and is a big reason the lectures will be on Saturdays. Have to let you guys know how it goes when I get back in town for my host brother's wedding in a few weeks.
Speaking of which I am to be a groomsman in my host brother, Noel's wedding out here. When I came in for the soccer match I was also trying on my other brother's suit as I will be in a suit and bow tie for the affair. This is a huge honor as there are just two groomsman and I am one of them. When I was asked I first was shocked and then told my Papa who asked me for Noel, "Shouldn't a guy that's known him his whole life be in this spot." He said "no" and explained that Noel really wanted me to be in this role. I really couldn't say no as it was a well thought through decision by Noel and I almost thought by denying it it would be an insult. My eyes were welling up as I accepted and I really, then more than ever before, felt apart of the family. Its hard to describe how honored and accepted I felt.
So December 14th I will be the guy that holds the ring (here its a groomsman and not a small child just in case any of you are wondering if I got duped) and the other groomsman is my cousin, and will be the official signing witness. As a wedding gift I'm giving a case of my homebrew beer that will be ready by the wedding, and one of a few other things I haven't decided on yet. Don't worry, I will make sure there will be plenty of pictures taken. Noel is a great guy and a good friend too so I'm really glad to be in the wedding. He lives in Vila and I crash at his place whenever in town. When we go out for kava he refuses to let me pay and I have to be really sneaky in order to buy him shells. He's got a daughter with his fiancee (very common here to have kid or kids before being married) who is about 8 and her name is Larisa (thought you might get a kick out of that one Lar). His wife and I haven't had much interaction, but she seems like a very nice woman. By the way they're both about late 20s/early 30s in age in case you guys were wondering.
So...some really cool stuff going on and plenty to come but I must go now as the transport will be here any minute. Bye for now guys and Happy Holidays!
Anyway, all food was drained down with tasty microbrew available at the joint. The atmosphere was great too as they put out a bunch of tables, had candle light, live music (sometimes cheesy), etc. Also it was the first time they opened up the feast to people's Ni-Van sign. others and Ni-Van staff, which was really cool. Kevin, our country director, got up and gave a nice speech in the middle of the meal. Dessert was homemade pumpkin pie with whipped cream. All and all a rough deal huh? We all left, food babies firmly in place, and passed out at our various spots within town. It was a pretty nice way to celebrate the holiday while still in-country.
Lets see...what else has been going on? A couple weeks ago I went to a World Cup Qualifier game in Vila between Vanuatu and New Zealand. The stakes were high because if Vanuatu were to win this game and win or draw on the rematch in NZ they would go on to the next match to actually make it to the Cup (as far as I understand anyway. I heard many accounts on what the game meant. What I do know for sure is that Vanuatu had booted the Solomons in the first round in the South Pacific Games.). The game was held on a really humid, really hot day and admission was only about $5 US. We sat on the grass on the 18-yard line and had an excellent view of the game. The stadium was pretty packed in, with a great majority of the crowd being Ni-Vanuatu. Most people sat on the grass as there was very little grandstand to speak of. The game was underway after a good round of cheering and air horn blowing during the short opening ceremony. NZ was controlling the game as the Vanuatu team had trouble maintaining possession. Probably a result of being a newly-formed team and not feeling the team cohesion. Just a week before, the Vanuatu team held a scrimmage to trim their 45+ man roster to about 24. The NZ team also had quite the height advantage so balls in the air usually went to them. The NZ keeper was a beast, at about 6'6" and the chances of getting balls past him didn't look good. The Vanuatu keeper on the other hand was probably more like 5'10". NZ had some good shots on goal with a few good saves by the Ni-van keeper. Vanuatu had a couple nice fast breaks (the limit of their offense) with their short, speedy right striker who was defended by a guy about 6'4". About half way through the first half Vanuatu's right striker got a great break, was on-sides, and a one-on-one with the NZ keeper insued. A quick chip over the keeper's premature dive (coming out of the goal) scored a goal and Vanuatu had struck first. The crowd erupted and continued to cheer for a good couple minutes. The NZ team looked whiplashed as I think they expected to just come in and dominate. At the half Vanuatu was up 1-0 but we were all weary of them holding the lead as NZ was getting some good tries at goal. A couple minutes before the half the NZ team got a shot off inside the 18 which the keeper dove to the right, deflected the ball back out, only to welcome another shot, closer now, that the keeper dove to the left and deflected. Then, in inhuman speed the keeper sprang up to deflect the 8 yard shot that followed up and over the crossbar. It was amazing how quickly he was able to get up and block the successive shots. When he deflected the shot over the crossbar the crowd roared. I jumped up in excitement only to land on a British volunteer's bag. Luckily nothing was breakable and he was very understanding.
During the next half Vanuatu was able to control the ball a little better, but NZ was able to squeeze in a goal in about the 55th minute (result of a poorly cleared ball up the middle right to a NZ midfielder). The NZ defenders were also learning how to defend the wily Vanuatu right striker, they boxed him out. In about the 80th minute the Vanuatu goal keeper was injured by a great dive he made to break up a NZ corner kick. His replacement was a taller, more livid keeper who couldn't keep his ass in the box. He was all over the place! Reminded me a little of a saying I once heard about a keeper I replaced, "He's like a field player running around with little gloves on." Well in about the 87th minute the keeper committed too early on a corner kick (his defenders were in great position to clear the ball) and left the goal wide open for NZ to score, take the lead, and win the game.
Oh well...what you gonna do right? It was one hell of a game though and I felt very privileged to be there and root for Vanuatu. The weird part of the whole ordeal was that a good portion of the Ni-Van crowd cheered for the NZ team at the end (and this wasn't good sportsmanship cheering). Apparently, as I was told later many people here are fairweather fans and I was given examples off how people flip-flopped between teams during the'06 Cup. But, to change allegiances and root against your own nation is something different altogether. I don't get it, but i olsem nomo. Vanuatu went on to lose 4-1 in NZ and so the World Cup qualification dream is on hold until after the 2010 Cup. I don't know if the first Vanuatu keeper was back for the second game as I was at site when it aired. I'll try to score some pictures a couple friends took during the match and upload them later.
Other stuff going on... I'm starting kind-of a lecture series on my island that will occur every Saturday afternoon talking about various science things: planets, tides, currents, weather, volcanoes, basic biology stuff, global warming, etc. The name of it is Universe Blong Yumi! (Our Universe). The idea came to me when I was paging through an Earth Science textbook in the MPA office. I was already planning to start giving a science class every week at the local primary school once the new school year starts in January. Then I thought about how many times adults had asked me various science questions. You see, most adults haven't continued school past class 6, and science isn't really taught until class 7 or 8. The people I've talked to about the science series are enthusiastic and seem to think its a good idea, and I really am pushing it as an informal, non-school-like, fun toktok (lecture) with questions greatly encouraged. the first toktok will be on Saturday and deals with the planets and stars. The PC country director also offered use of his personal telescope in the future. Also, I have a British volunteer friend who has a friend that is a producer for the BBC, and I hope to use that channel to try and get some cool science/nature DVDs donated for this thing and later for use in the school and MPA stuff. Going to also try to get the MPA to sell kava (something they do anyway) after the toktoks in order to raise funds, and is a big reason the lectures will be on Saturdays. Have to let you guys know how it goes when I get back in town for my host brother's wedding in a few weeks.
Speaking of which I am to be a groomsman in my host brother, Noel's wedding out here. When I came in for the soccer match I was also trying on my other brother's suit as I will be in a suit and bow tie for the affair. This is a huge honor as there are just two groomsman and I am one of them. When I was asked I first was shocked and then told my Papa who asked me for Noel, "Shouldn't a guy that's known him his whole life be in this spot." He said "no" and explained that Noel really wanted me to be in this role. I really couldn't say no as it was a well thought through decision by Noel and I almost thought by denying it it would be an insult. My eyes were welling up as I accepted and I really, then more than ever before, felt apart of the family. Its hard to describe how honored and accepted I felt.
So December 14th I will be the guy that holds the ring (here its a groomsman and not a small child just in case any of you are wondering if I got duped) and the other groomsman is my cousin, and will be the official signing witness. As a wedding gift I'm giving a case of my homebrew beer that will be ready by the wedding, and one of a few other things I haven't decided on yet. Don't worry, I will make sure there will be plenty of pictures taken. Noel is a great guy and a good friend too so I'm really glad to be in the wedding. He lives in Vila and I crash at his place whenever in town. When we go out for kava he refuses to let me pay and I have to be really sneaky in order to buy him shells. He's got a daughter with his fiancee (very common here to have kid or kids before being married) who is about 8 and her name is Larisa (thought you might get a kick out of that one Lar). His wife and I haven't had much interaction, but she seems like a very nice woman. By the way they're both about late 20s/early 30s in age in case you guys were wondering.
So...some really cool stuff going on and plenty to come but I must go now as the transport will be here any minute. Bye for now guys and Happy Holidays!
